Heat Stress for Schizophrenia
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting approximately 24 million people worldwide and is associated with more than double the all cause mortality risk of the general population. Emerging evidence demonstrates that elevated temperatures acutely worsen mental health symptoms and significantly increase the risk of heat related morbidity and mortality. For people living with schizophrenia, prolonged exposure to heat can exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, impair judgment and decision making, and reduce the ability to engage in protective behaviors such as increasing hydration, reducing clothing, improving ventilation, or seeking cooler environments. As a result, individuals with schizophrenia may experience higher rates of heat related illness. To date our understanding of heat exposure effects in individuals with schizophrenia remains incomplete, hindering the development of evidence-based strategies to protect them.
Thus, the primary objective of this exploratory study is to gather preliminary data on the effects of indoor overheating on physiological responses (core body temperature and cardiovascular function), cognitive performance (attention, working memory, and reaction time), and mood in adults with schizophrenia. Specifically, we will assess whether maintaining indoor conditions at the upper recommended temperature limit for older adults (26°C, 45% relative humidity \[RH\]; PMID: 38329752) is sufficient to mitigate physiological strain compared with exposure to a hot indoor environment (36°C, 45% RH) representative of non-air-conditioned homes during extreme heat events in individuals with schizophrenia. In both conditions, the individual will remain seated at rest while wearing light clothing (t shirt and shorts), with the exception of performing 15 minutes of stepping exercise (4-4.5 METS) each hour (excluding the lunch period) to reflect typical daily activities of daily living.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Glen P Kenny, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Ottawa
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for English or French-speaking adults who can consent to participate. It includes those with and without schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, aiming to understand how heat affects their health and mental state.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Exposure to indoor temperature upper limit
Participants are exposed daylong (6 hours) to an indoor temperature maintained at 26°C and 45% relative humidity
Exposure to hot indoor environment
Participants are exposed daylong (6 hours) to an indoor temperature maintained at 36°C and 45% relative humidity
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after exposure
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Simulated exposure to indoor overheating
Trial Overview
The study tests the impact of indoor overheating on people with schizophrenia. Participants will experience two temperature settings: one at a comfortable level (26°C) and another at a high level (36°C), simulating non-air-conditioned environments during heatwaves.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Participants exposed daylong (6 hours) to an indoor temperature maintained at 26°C and 45% relative humidity (humidex equivalent of 29).
Participants exposed daylong (6 hours) to an indoor temperature maintained at 36°C and 45% relative humidity (humidex equivalent of 45).
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Ottawa
Lead Sponsor
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